Visit to Mount Carmel

October 1, 2013

On Wednesday, September 25, Mrs. Horner’s homeroom began the Fifth Class’ weekly visits to our neighbors on First Capitol Drive, the residents of Mount Carmel Senior Living. In no time at all friendships were forged as the students chatted with the residents, helped them play bingo, and aided in transporting them up to the chapel for Mass or back to their rooms for a little rest. It was hard to tell who was having more fun, the students or the residents.

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We Need You

September 26, 2013

As human beings we yearn to belong. Equally importantly, we yearn to contribute meaningfully to our community and our world. As a parent at this Academy, one can be a part of something bigger than oneself in a significant way while also being meaningfully connected to others!

With the above as a RATIONALE for contributing to the school with one’s time (one which satisfies the inner yearnings of our parents as human beings), there are also a number of very practical and concrete reasons for parent participation here at the Academy! Quite frankly, WE NEED YOU! The Academy cannot be the place it is without your support, time and participation.

Our first fundraising event of the year is coming up: Country Fair. It is a delightful weekend with multiple opportunities for our children to engage in simple, wholesome, fun-filled activities. It is also a beautiful way for parents to both connect AND contribute. Furthermore, the event usually brings in close to $50,000 for our operating budget.

Here is the thing: for this event to be successful, WE NEED EVERY PARENT TO SIGN UP TO HELP.

WE NEED YOU!!

Total Families signed up to work:  211   57% (includes all chairs)
Total Families with more than one slot:  37    (10%)
Spots short (as of Saturday):  80
Total Families who have no slots:  161    (43%)
So, this is my big plea: please go to Volunteer Spot now and pick a shift. We are asking both parents to do so.

If you have trouble with the link, just call the Advancement Office and ask for Silvia. We will help you sign up.

DON’T MISS OUT:

…For the sake of your children
…For the sake of the school
…For the sake of your contribution to this community, and
…For the sake of your own sense of connection

With deep and loving gratitude in advance!

Maureen Glavin, rscj


We Need You

September 26, 2013

As human beings we yearn to belong. Equally importantly, we yearn to contribute meaningfully to our community and our world. As a parent at this Academy, one can be a part of something bigger than oneself in a significant way while also being meaningfully connected to others!

With the above as a RATIONALE for contributing to the school with one’s time (one which satisfies the inner yearnings of our parents as human beings), there are also a number of very practical and concrete reasons for parent participation here at the Academy! Quite frankly, WE NEED YOU! The Academy cannot be the place it is without your support, time and participation.

Our first fundraising event of the year is coming up: Country Fair. It is a delightful weekend with multiple opportunities for our children to engage in simple, wholesome, fun-filled activities. It is also a beautiful way for parents to both connect AND contribute. Furthermore, the event usually brings in close to $50,000 for our operating budget.

Here is the thing: for this event to be successful, WE NEED EVERY PARENT TO SIGN UP TO HELP.

WE NEED YOU!!

Total Families signed up to work:  211   57% (includes all chairs)
Total Families with more than one slot:  37    (10%)
Spots short (as of Saturday):  80
Total Families who have no slots:  161    (43%)
So, this is my big plea: please go to Volunteer Spot now and pick a shift. We are asking both parents to do so.

If you have trouble with the link, just call the Advancement Office and ask for Silvia. We will help you sign up.

DON’T MISS OUT:

…For the sake of your children
…For the sake of the school
…For the sake of your contribution to this community, and
…For the sake of your own sense of connection

With deep and loving gratitude in advance!

Maureen Glavin, rscj


Room Parents Team Up to Plan Good Times

September 24, 2013

Lead room parent volunteers met to begin organizing parties and goûters for the students throughout the year. Lots of of energy and enthusiasm were in evidence! There will be opportunities for all parents to get involved. For a list of lead room parents, click here.


High School Nights

September 23, 2013

 

High School Nights provide students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades and their parents an opportunity to hear from representatives of the Catholic high schools about their programs and policies. Remaining dates are: September 24 and 25, October 1 and 2. All begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. For locations and presenting schools, visit http://archstl.org/education/page/high-school-nights-1


Don’t Compare, and Help Reframe

September 19, 2013

The biggest challenge we experience in our collective task of raising our children is that we are ALL swimming against a cultural current which is exerting increasing pressure on us to do the opposite of what we know to be healthy and wholesome for them.

Now that we are at the midpoint of our first quarter, let us remind ourselves of the following:

1. Resist the temptation to allow the child to succumb to comparisons.  Until a healthy ego is developed, human nature is such that we tend to compare ourselves with others. If your child is struggling in a particular subject or trying to figure out where he or she fits in socially, it is easy for him or her to divert to “So-and-so got an A,” “So-and-so has more friends,” or “So-and-so doesn’t like me.” Remember, the goal is not the ‘A.’ The goal is not being ‘popular.’ And, most certainly, the goal is not to be ‘the best in comparison with others.’ The goal, rather, is to be one’s personal best: academically, socially and spiritually. The goal is to learn, to grow, to be respectful, to speak one’s truth and to be in right relationship with others. ANY conversation that compares one child with another is unproductive and unhelpful.

2.  Listen intently and honor feelings while providing a reframing of their narrow way of interpreting what happens around them.  Children NEED to come home and ‘bounce’ their day off someone. They want to debrief their experiences and ‘talk through’ their perspectives and feelings. (For many children, this might not happen until they are feeling secure – as at bedtime, while being tucked in. For others it happens the whole way home in the car.) In a desire to be empathetic, our temptation is to be angry if the child is angry or to be very sad if our child is sad or to be anxious if our child is anxious. To respond in more helpful ways, we can try to understand our child’s feelings, while, with well-placed questions, helping them to reframe their struggle. The reframing process provides our children with the practice of (and eventual habit of) thinking about the broader perspective. Knowing that thoughts affect feelings, if we can help our children develop healthy thought patterns, we will help them build a healthy emotional life. Here, the goal is NOT to remove any struggle but to help children figure out how to handle the struggle.

We will continue to diligently educate the children’s hearts and minds on our end, and we thank you profusely for your support as you continue to do so on your end!

In deep union with you in this sacred task,

Maureen Glavin, rscj


Middle School Parent Meeting

September 12, 2013

We are very much looking forward to this evening’s Back to School Parent Meeting for parents of Middle School students.

The program begins at 7 p.m. in the gym followed by grade level faculty team presentations in the locations designated below.

Opening Prayer
Sister Glavin

Highlights of the New Parent Portal Space
Mr. Will Yates

Safety and Security Update
Sister Glavin

Middle School: The Journey of Growth Continues
and
Introduction of the Middle School Faculty
Dr. Roger Stock

Fifth Class Parents Proceed to the White Center Dining Area
Sixth Class Parents Proceed to the Playroom
Seventh Class Parents Remain in Rauch Memorial Gym
Eighth Class Parents Proceed to Cribbin Hall Library

THANK YOU for taking the time to join us.

With JOY and UNION in God’s Great Love for all of us, as we continue to tap into that Love and live out of that Love!

Maureen Glavin, rscj